Sermons for the Season of Lent
Luke 19:28-40 As Jesus takes the last few steps of the journey, which began some time ago, to Jerusalem, the crowd grasp what it is that he has being showing them all along. And they strike up the appropriate chant:Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and …
A Sermon for the Sixth Sunday in Lent, Palm Sunday (10/04/22): Jesus is in Command Read More »
John 12:1-8 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him.This is a familiar scene. Time and again Jesus is the honoured guest at …
Luke 15:11-32 The other day I heard a talk by someone. And one of the things they said was: “If your preaching of grace isn’t giving offence, then you’re not preaching grace hard enough” Grace: the idea of God’s free, unconditional love for everyone, God’s welcome for absolutely anyone who will turn to him, Grace: …
A Sermon for the Fourth Sunday in Lent (27/03/22): Offensive Grace Read More »
Luke 13:1-9 In answer to his own question about whether some deserve to suffer more than others Jesus replies:No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as they did. Part of the crowd has come to Jesus with a bad news story. Jesus responds to their tale of state sponsored …
A Sermon for the Third Sunday in Lent (20/03/22): God’s Judgement – God’s Forbearance Read More »
Luke 13:31-35 Preaching the Gospel has its own agenda, and it creates its own relevance. This is true whether the Gospel is being preached from a pulpit, or being preached with the lives that are being lived by Christians. The announcement of the Kingdom of God, and living into that kingdom has its own timetable …
A Sermon for the Second Sunday in Lent (13/03/22):The Gospel Has Its Own Agenda Read More »
Luke 4:1-13 Jesus was led by the Spirit in the wilderness where for forty days he was tempted by the devilThe most important thing to remember about the devil, in all circumstances, is that the devil is a liar. Albeit at times he is a very subtle one. The lies which the devil tells often …
A Sermon for the First Sunday in Lent (06/03/22):The Devil’s Lies Read More »
The Proclamation of the Cross John 18:16b-30 Executions are outside of our experience. There hasn’t been in an execution in this country for over 50 years. And for almost 100 years before that they had been done out of sight. So a public execution is something we can have no real knowledge of. But …
A Sermon for Good Friday (02/04/21): Proclamation of the Cross Read More »
A Triumphal Approach Leads to an Anti-climax Mark 11:1-11 Time and again throughout his ministry Jesus has demonstrated insight that others do not and even cannot possess. Often he knows what others are thinking without them speaking those thoughts out loud. All the way along he has recognised where his mission leads and what the conclusion of …
Those Who Hate their Life Will Keep It John 12:20-31 There is a paradox, an unresolvable contradiction, which lies at the heart of the human condition. But it is a paradox which also lies at the heart of God’s answer to the human condition, the gospel. “Those who love their life lose it, and those who …
Nicodemus is Puzzled by Jesus John 3:14-22 The evening had not got at all how Nicodemus had expected or wanted. He had come to Jesus looking for clarity. He wanted to get from the pious Galilean, of whom the ordinary folk seem so enthused and excited, and whose words seemed to impress even a few of the …
A Sermon for the Fourth Sunday in Lent (14/03/21): Nicodemus is Puzzled by Jesus Read More »